Balance Transfer Fee

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Balance Transfer Fee


Balance Transfer Fee


Full Definition of Balance Transfer Fee


Many cards now charge a percentage of balances transferred onto them

Introductory balance transfer offers have been incredibly popular with credit card users over the last 5 years or so since they were introduced to the UK by Egg plc, especially when people discovered that by constantly moving balances from card to card as the introductory periods ended, they could in effect get an interest free loan over an indefinite term.

This phenomena of the card tart ended up costing credit card companies a small fortune in uncollected interest, and not surprisingly the industry began to look for a way to tilt the balance back into the card companies’ favour.

The result was the balance transfer fee, where a percentage of the balance you transfer to a new card is charged to your account. A typical rate for this charge is 2%, which could work out to be a hefty sum if you’re transferring a substantial amount.

In practice, most cards who charge a fee cap the amount they charge at a maximum of £50 or so, but check the small print carefully – some cards have no upper limit to how much they’ll charge.


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Definition Sources


Definitions for Balance Transfer Fee are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 15th February, 2020 | 0 Views.